Archive for the ‘Instant Impression’ Category

The Mercedes-Benz CL-550 is in a league of its own, literally and figuratively. The car really doesn’t have any direct competition from BMW or Audi and it’s a total dream to drive. Here are a few of John McElroy’s brief thoughts on it.

GMC’s Terrain is a popular midsize crossover. It offers a lot of creature comforts and a bold design all at a reasonable price. But it’s not perfect. Click “play” to find out what it excels at and where it falls short.

Audi is on a roll. Every new or redesigned model it comes out with is excellent. They’re fun to drive, luxurious and elegantly styled, with the best interiors in the business. And I’m happy to report, all of this applies to the brand-new A8, which recently hit the market.

German automakers excel at a laundry list of things. They craft some of the safest and most solidly built vehicles on the road today. Their cars are fast, powerful fun-driving luxury machines, but for all of their virtues they can still fall short in some areas. Arguably the most egregious oversight by the industry has to do with the lowly cup holder. Find out how BMW missed the mark on its awesome new 550i.

Here’s a very quick take on one of the most important aspects of the Volt. What happens when the car taps into the reserve gas tank? Autoline correspondent Craig Cole took it for a long-distance drive and was able to record the transition. The result? Well, you’ll just have to see.

It wasn’t that long ago that you bought a Kia when you couldn’t afford anything else. But, something has changed at the Korean automaker that’s working magic on all of its new product. The new Optima SX is a whopping $30,000! Who thought you’d ever pay that much for a Kia? Even more striking is what you get for that money.

We’ve been hotly anticipating the drop top version of the Camaro. If nothing else, it allows you to trade tank-slit visibility for the ultimate 360-degree, open-air experience. That said, you’ll be paying $43,000 for this car and no one would blame you for expecting a quality product. Unfortunately, if you’re anything like us, you’re bound to be a bit disappointed by the Camaro 2SS Convertible.

Is the Acura TL worthy of its premium price tag? The brand’s recent history has been a little checkered and its vehicles aren’t selling that well. At first glance this four-door sedan with a goofy-looking grille doesn’t look like it has the chops to compete with the heavyweights in its class. Does it deliver a top-shelf experience or is it just another gold-plated Honda? Magistrate McElroy recently spent a week with a 2012 model. Hit “play” to hear his judgment.

A lot of — sorry — fanboys seem to be upset by the Turbo version of the Buick Regal. They say this is no car for enthusiasts, and they’re right. But, stop all your hand wringing, because guess what: it doesn’t matter. Here’s why.

If you know nothing else about Chevrolet’s Eco edition of the Cruze sedan, you know that it’s supposed to be a green, fuel-sipping machine — the very name tells you that. But, if you think you know affordable, economical cars when you see them, you might surprised when you get inside this one. As we discovered, its nicer than you’d imagine.